Wedding hotels

Pool House

Wester Ross, United Kingdom

Wow factor   Go for a unique firelit ceremony at twilight on the shores of Loch Maree; it has to be about one of the most romantic and beautiful places to cement your bond.

Need to know   The award-winning wedding co-ordinator can arrange a piper or harpist. The bride and groom are presented with a decorative box containing the traditional Hebridean good-luck symbols. The hotel can arrange all the catering and flowers – invaluable considering that significant logistics are involved in such a remote place.

Inspiration   Weddings can be held anywhere in Scotland, and there are numerous sites on the shores of dreamily inspiring Loch Maree; Tollee Bay is a particularly popular spot. A yacht is on hand to take couples out to one of the tiny islands for a private lobster picnic.

Rectory Hotel

Cotswolds, United Kingdom

Wow factor   The hotel's size makes it ideal for intimate weddings. The beautiful walled garden, dotted with contemporary sculpture, is a great venue for drinks receptions in the warmer months, and the handsome panelled dining room is warm and inviting on grey days, seating up to 60.

Need to know   For exclusive use, the entire hotel must be booked by the wedding party. The hotel can organise a marquee for larger receptions of up to 110 guests.

Inspiration   The hotel refuses to put together a wedding package because it prefers a bespoke, tailormade approach. Everything from the flowers to the wedding cake can be arranged, and the happy couple is encouraged to treat the hotel like their own home for the duration of the wedding.

Royal Crescent Hotel 

Bath, United Kingdom

Wow factor   The hotel is located on the magnificent Royal Crescent, perhaps the most beautiful street in Britain.

Need to know   Though the hotel has 45 bedrooms, it can only accommodate a maximum of 40 guests for the wedding ceremony itself.

Inspiration   The Royal Crescent Hotel team can assist with everything from photographers, flowers and hair and make-up to personalised menu cards and place settings, as well as Bath House bridal spa treats. A horse and carriage can also be arranged. The hotel’s 1920s river launch is available for private charter or champagne cruises.

Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

County Durham, United Kingdom

Wow factor   Follow in Lord Byron's footsteps.

Need to know   The south-facing terrace makes a particularly lovely spot for wedding photos in spring and summer, but Seaham Hall has an abundance of attractive indoor backdrops for the rest of the year. Seaham staff organise and host many bespoke weddings each year, but never more than one on the same day. The hotel is also becoming popular for civil-partnership ceremnonies.

Inspiration   The poet Lord Byron married Annabella Milbank at Seaham Hall in 1815, in what is now the Byron room. The Byron room is licensed, and is just as romantic today as it was two centuries ago.

Stoke Park Club 

Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

Wow factor   As the hotel where the famous golf scene in Goldfinger was filmed, you should be tying the 'Just Married' sign to the back of an Aston Martin.

Need to know   The hotel can cater for 120 guests, using in-house banqueting chairs. If gold banqueting chairs are brought in, 144 guests can be accommodated. A marquee is possible for bigger parties.

Inspiration   350 acres of 'Capability' Brown parkland mean you can let your imagination run riot. The hotel can arrange fireworks, and a horse and carriage. Couples can request themed decorative schemes: for example, the ballroom was once themed as an enchanted forest for a Halloween reception.

The George in Rye

East Sussex, United Kingdom

Wow factor   This romantic hotel is located in the heart of historic Rye. Weddings are held in a Georgian ballroom with high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and walls covered in hand-painted silk panels.

Need to know   Saturday weddings are held for a minimum of 75 guests. The wedding party must also book the bedrooms closest to the ballroom.

Inspiration   The hotel offers a food and drink tasting session with the General Manager and Head Chef. The hotel has compiled a list of contacts to organise everything from the cake to the flowers. Even the tiniest detail can be arranged - one couple recently requested a special tea to be blended to use as wedding favours. Wine and champagne from Sussex and Kent vineyards are available.

The Gore 

London, United Kingdom

Wow factor   The richly decorated Tapestry room has panelled walls hung with beautiful gilded mirrors and French verdure tapestries.

Need to know   Wedding ceremonies are conducted in the sumptuous Tapestry room, and receptions are held in a separate private dining space; the hotel can arrange all catering and flowers. Honeymooners usually stay in either the Tudor or Venus room.

Inspiration   The Gore team has organised many weddings, and is prepared to tailor the event to make your day special; according to them, ‘The impossible is just something that has never been done before.’

The Metropolitan London

London, United Kingdom

Wow factor   The ultimate in sophisticated urban venues. Book the Penthouse suite for panoramic views of Hyde Park, and see how many celebrities you can spot in the members-only Met Bar and Michelin-starred Nobu restaurant. The Como Shambhala Urban Escape offers Asian-inspired treatments to calm pre-wedding nerves.

Need to know   They're mentioning no names, but one couple hired Nobu, the Met Bar and The Penthouse on an exclusive basis for their nuptials, which the hotel billed, 'the Ultimate Wedding Reception in London'. A Met Bar mixologist can be booked for cocktail drinks receptions.

Inspiration   The events manager and team of planners (020 7447 1064) oversees every aspect of the big day. Her comprehensive contacts book has lists of florists, photographers and transport providers for the couple to choose from. The look that works best here is pared down and minimalist, decorated with subtle floral arrangements.